Calculating machine



Nov. 26, 1940. R MULLER 2,222,681

CALCULATING MACHINE Filed Oct. 31, 1936 4 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR ATTORNEYS NOV. 26, 1940. R L MULLER 2,222,681

CALCULATING MACHINE Filed Oct. 31, 1936 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVIENTOR BY B06677 L. ml/ler W W M y M ATTORNEYS NOV. 26, 1940. R 1 MULLER 2,222,681

CALCULATING MACHINE Filed Oct. 51, 1936 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 w 4 "\VENTOR 1 BY Roberf L NIH/er Mvm ATTORNEYS Nov. 26, 1940. R. 1.. MULLER CALCULATING MACHINE Filed Oct. 51, 1936 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Patented Nov. 26, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CALCULATING MACHINE Robert L. Muller,

roughs Adding Machine Company,

Detroit, Mich, assignor to Bur- Detroit,

6Claims.

This invention relates to calculating machines and although it is particularly adaptable to calculating machines of the ten key type, it will be manifest that it is applicable to other types.

In many classes ofwork, it is necessary simultaneously to keep a plurality of widely differing accounts. This requires that the calculating machine used have a plurality of registers into which the accounts may be entered and accumulated and from which totals, varying greatly as to the number of digits contained therein, may be taken at predetermined intervals as desired.

Prior to the present invention it was necessary, because of the possible or occasional necessity to enter or accumulate large totals, to employ a machine having wholly independent registers of the proper number and capacity, or a machine having a series of register pinions divided into groups of register pinions. In the latter case each group had to have sufficient capacity to accumulate the maximum possible total or if each group did not have the maximum capacity it was necessary to take the total of the several register groups in predetermined sequence. Even then the number of digits contained in the totals could not exceed the orders or digits allotted to the column otherwise there would be an overlap into the next column when printing the total. This, of course, limited the number of groups of registers into which the total capacity of the machine could be divided or made the machine very unfiexible.

The present invention is directed to a calculating machine in which a plurality of registers are provided, each of which is capable of carrying or accumulating only the desired amount or in which one or more registers are capable of being selectively split or divided into a plurality of groups of registers of varying capacities, each of which is capable of carrying or accumulating only to the desired amount.

It is an object of the present invention, therefore, to increase the flexibility and register capacity of a calculating machine.

It is a. further object of the invention to increase the register capacity of a calculating machine without appreciably increasing the size, complexity or cost therefor and with a minimum number of alterations to a standard machine.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent from the following description of one embodiment of this invention given in connection with the drawings, in which:

Figure l is a left side elevation of a machine with the casing removed and having the present invention embodied therein;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary plan view illustratin the actuator racks and register controls;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary perspective view of the actuator racks and register controls;

Fig. 4 is a partial left side elevation partly in section illustrating a portion of the actuator rack controls; and

Fig. 5 is a sample of work that may be performed on the machine embodying the present invention.

General calculating machine structure The invention is shown applied to a Burroughs Calculating Machine of the type shown in the Hopkins Patent No. 1,336,904, issued April 13, 1920. Machines of this type embody a typewriter mechanism as well as a calculating mechanism. The typewriter mechanism has not been illustrated in detail but is operated by suitable type keys (Fig. 1), which operate the usual type bars (not shown) which imprint upon paper passed beneath a platen P.

The calculating mechanism is of the ten key type and includes ten digit or amount keys 2 representing digits from zero to nine, inclusive, and arranged in a lower or forward keyboard. The amount keys 2 control a differential mechanism including differentially movable racks and for this reason are connected to key levers 3 pivoted at 4 and having their rear ends positioned under vertically movable index bars 5, which, when raised by depression of keys 2, move pins 6 upwardly, in a movable pin carriage I. The pins 6 are arranged in a plurality .of rows, the different rows corresponding to the different orders of the machine, such as units, tens, hundreds, and so forth. The pin carriage is urged to the left, as viewed from the front of the machine, and its lateral movement is under the control of an escapement mechanism so that the pin carriage will move only one space to the left after each digit key has been depressed and released. The escapement mechanism is preferably of the type shown in the heretofore mentioned Hopkins patent or similar to that shown in the Thieme Patent No. 1,143,240.

After the pins have been set up in the pin carriage, the machine is given a cycle of operation by depression of the motor bar 8 which controls the driving or operating motor 9. During operation the pin carriage I is raised to bring its pins 6 into engagement with the vertically lowering the register frame in movable pins 10 in the stationary field of pins, which are thereby set up by the pins in the traveling pin carriage. The pins in the stationary field act as stops for a plurality of actuator racks H which have stop lugs I2 on them adapted to engage any of the pins I!) that may be projected into position. The actuator racks are normally held in rearward position, but during the forward stroke of operation of the machine are released to assume the forward position permitted by pins Ill. The actuator racks ll carry type l3 upon their forward ends and after the actuator racks have been differentially positioned, a printing mechanism including hammers i4 is operated to print the item that has been indexed or entered. Front and rear registers l6 and I1, respectively, are provided and are moved into and out of engagement with the actuator racks II at appropriate times to perform calculating functions, such as addition, totaling, sub-totaling, transfer of totals and so forth. Mechanism for moving these registers into and out of engagement with the racks has not been illustrated in detail here but is disclosed in the heretofore mentioned Hopkins patent. This mechanism includes a link l5 which is connected to a toggle linkage I 5' for both accumulating and totaling operations as shown in the Hopkins Patents Nos. 1,336,904 and 1,206,113, although in the prior patents the link is connected directly to the register frame or through a cam. The mechanism also includes suitable controls to enable either the front or rear register, or both registers, to be engaged with the actuator racks during addition operations so that items may be added in either register or both registers simultaneously. These controls are well-known in the art and are shown in detail in the Hopkins patents and in the Thieme Patent No. 1,321,260.

The machine is provided with a traveling paper carriage l8 which supports the platen P. The

mechanism,

Patent No. 1,259,929 and may be returned by power by mechanism such as disclosed in the Thieme Patent No. 1,120,862, the power in this case being the driving motor 9.

For more detailed description of the operation of this machine and the various mechanisms heretofore described, reference is made to the Hopkins and Thieme patents.

Multiple register assembly The front register it in the illustrated embodiment contains fifty register pinions which aredlvided into seven sections or groups, R1, Ra, Ra, R4, R5, R0, R1, of varying numbers of pinions as follows:

Register No. 1-10 pinions 2 6 pinions 3 8 pinions 4- 5 pinions 5-10 pinions 6- 4 pinions 7- 7 pinions Total 750.

It will be understood that the fifty pinions may be divided into any other desired grouping. The register pinions are all mounted on a sleeve I! (Fig. 2) slidable on common shaft 20 supported by arms 2| pivoted at 22 to the rear of the machine. The seven registers comprising the fifty pinions mounted on sleeve l9 are retained and moved along the common shaft 20 by a frame 23 secured to sleeve [9 and slidably supported on shaft 20. The entire register assembly consisting of the frame 23 and the seven registers is constantly urged to the left bya coil spring 21, one end of which is attached to the arm 2| and the other end of which is attached to the register frame 23. Controls are provided to position the register frame so that any one of the seven registers may be placed in active position relatively to the actuator racks, as will now be explained.

Multiple register control Inasmuch as the seven registers in the frame are constantly urged to the left by spring 21, it is only necessary to release the register frame at certain intervals to permit movement thereof to the left and, to stop this movement of the register frame and registers therein at desired positions, to index a selected register in proper position to be brought into active relation with the actuator racks II. For this purpose a stop bar 30 is attached to the register frame, which bar contains a number of lugs 3| which are engaged by a stop pawl 32 pivoted at 33 to the frame of the machine. Pawl 32 is urged in a clockwise direction by a spring 34 (Fig. 3) so that it engages lugs 3| to position the register frame with the selected register in proper active relation to the racks II. In Fig. 2 the register frame is shown in position with the second register R2 over the actuator racks II. The arrangement is such that upon each complete oscillation of the pawl 32 the register frame is permitted to move a distance to the left equal to one register. Means are provided for controlling this movement of the register from the paper carriage.

Paper carriage control of register frame The traveling paper carriage I8 is normally urged to the left as viewed from the front of the machine and is automatically tabulated into certain columnar positions so that figures may be printed in certain columns on a form or work sheet by mechanism described in the previously mentioned patents. As the carriage is tabulated into the various columnar positions, release dogs 36 (Fig. 2), adjustably secured to the carriage frame, engage a pass-by pawl 38 carried by an arm 39, which arm is connected to pawl 32. Therefore, as the paper carriage is tabulated into the columnar positions, dogs 38 contact pawl 38 to move arm 39, which, in turn, oscillates pawl 22 about its pivot to release the register frame and permit it to move a distance equal to one register to the left each time a carriage release dog 38 engages a pass-by pawl 38.

Restoring of registers After the paper carriage has been tabulated to its full position to the left, as viewed from the front, and whether or not the register frame has been released and tabulated to its full left position, in which position register R1 is in position over the actuator racks, the paper carriage can be returned automatically by manually. At this time, it may be desirable to return the register frame to its number 1 position or to some other selected position. This may be accomplished by mechanism not shown but similar to that shown in the Muller Patent No. 2,055,550 if partial restoration is desired in order that other entries may be printed on the paper form in a certain columnar position with a selected register in active position.

Any suitable register restoring mechanism may be employed, and I have illustrated a mechanism similar to that shown in my prior Patent No. 2,055,550, although in the present application no means is shown for partially restoring the register frame. The mechanism is preferably so arranged and adjusted that the register frame may be moved to the right sufllciently to permit R1 register to contain less pinions than the total number of racks. In general, the restoring mechanism is as follows:

Register frame 28 is provided with a forwardly extending arm 45 having a stud 46 (Fig. 3) on its forward edge which engages in a slot 41 formed on the upper end of an arm 48 pivoted at 48 to the frame of the machine. Fixed to the pivoted end of arm 48 is a toothed sector 52 engaged under certain conditions by a pawl 53 pivoted at 54 to a lever 56 also pivoted at 49 to the frame of the machine and having at its other end a stud and slot connection 51 with a vertical slide 58. Lever 56 is urged clockwise (Fig. 3) by a tension spring 58, through which spring and connection 51, lever 56 tends to raise slide 58 when the latter is released. Slide 58 is periodically moved or restored downwardly against the action of spring 59 by a stud 68, which engages a lug 6| formed on the lower part of slide 58, and is carried by an arm 62 driven from the main shaft of the machine and is oscillated at each machine operation.

Slide 58 is normally latched in its lower position and against the action of spring 59 by one arm 63 of a latch 64 secured to'a stub shaft 65. When the slide 58 and lever 56 are in the latched position of Fig. 3, the pawl 53 is held out of engagement with the toothed sector 52 by a fixed Paper carriage control of register restoration When the register frame is to be restored, a pass-by pawl 66 (Fig. 3) carried on the paper carriage engages a stud 61 on the upper end of a slide 68 which is thereby moved downward. This occurs preferably during the return movement of the traveling paper carriage but, with appropriate location-and arrangement of the pawl 66 on the paper carriage, it can be caused to occur at the desired point in the travel of the paper carriage in either direction. The slide 68 is locked in its lower position by a pivoted latch member 69. The lower end of slide 68 has a lateral arm H which supports the upper member 12 of a clutch, the lower member 13 of which is fixed to a shaft l4. Shaft 14 is constantly rotated in a counterclockwise direction, as shown in the heretofore mentioned Thieme patents. Lowering of slide 68 will cause engagement of the two clutch members, causing the upper member to be driven in a counterclockwise direction. The upper member 12 of the clutch has an upstanding cam 15 which engages a stud 16 carried by an arm l'l secured to the stub shaft 65. Accordingly, upon rotation of the upper clutch member 72, latching arm 63, which is also secured to shaft 65, will be rocked to trip the latch 68 and simultaneously release slide 58, whereupon the lever 56 will be rocked clockwise and the slide 58 raised by spring 59. As the pawl 581s carried away from the fixed member 55, it is rocked by its spring 53' into engagement with the toothed sector 62, thereby coupling the lever 56 to the lever 48 which is then moved along with the lever 56 by the spring 58 to restore the register frame. When the latch 68 is tripped by the rocking of the latch 63, 64, the

Control of actuator racks As previously stated, this invention makes it possible to divide the register pinions into groups differing as to the number of pinions contained in each, thereby making it possible to divide the register pinions into groups each having only the necessary number of pinions for the particular account to be kept therein. This, in turn, makes it possible to divide the entire number of register pinions into more groups than would be the case if each group had to contain the greatest number of pinions required by any single register group.

At least some of the registers or groups of register pinions will have numbers of register pinions smaller than the number of actuator racks H in the machine. When such a register is selected for operation, particularly for a total-taking or a sub-total taking operation, those actuator racks H which do not cooperate with the pinions of the selected register should be held against operation. For example, in Fig. 2, register R2 containing six pinions is in active relation with the actuator racks l I. Accordingly, only the six racks corresponding to the six pinions of the R2 register should be released for movement during a machine operation and all racks above the sixth order should be blocked against movement. Of course, during a listing or adding operation, it would not be necessary to block the higher order racks if the operator did not enter in the machine an amount that exceeded the capacity of the selected register. However, during a totaling operation, the machine normally would cause all actuator racks to move forward to as far as re quired to zeroiae the register pinions meshing with the respective racks and, if the machine were positioned as in Fig. 2 with the R2 register in active position, and if all ten racks were released to move forward, the first four register pinions of the R1 register would also be zeroized,

which would, of course, be an incorrect operation. This would be true whether or not the printing mechanism for the higher orders was blocked. The present invention provides that each time a new register has been selected, the actuator racks are automatically controlled so that the correct number of racks, corresponding to the capacity of the selected register, are released and the remaining racks are blocked.

RegisterIrasaeooatroloIacfuotorrocks Therightendofslidellhasapinandslot connection with a lever tl pivoted at II to the frameofthemachineandterminatinginarack II which engages a pinion 00 secured to a vertical shaft ll supported for vertical as well as rotary movement in brackets II. The pinion II also mesheswltharackllcarriedbytheregister frame. Accordingly. the position of the register frame governs the position of slide ll through rack 02, pinion ll, rack It, and lever 81. Spring It secured to lever l'l normally urges the lever clockwise about its pivot and the slide 05 to its inactive or right position.

Each time a new register is selected the slide I is reindexed to release the proper number of actuator racks as follows:

When the machine is in normal or home position, the register pinions are out of engagement with the actuator racks II but in engagement with the carry or tens transfer segments 88. In amount entering operations, after the actuator racks have been moved forward to their indexed position, as determined by the amount keys depressed, the register frame is moved downward soastoengagetheregisterpinionswiththe actuator racks Ii. Then, as the machine is restored to normal position, the racks are moved to the rear and the register wheels are rotated the correct amount. Each time the register frame is moved downward, rack 82 is moved out of mesh with pinion SI and spring ll restores slide I! to inactive position where latches If are in locking engagement with racks ,II. This, however, does not take place until the end of the forward machine stroke and after the indexed racks have been positioned. At the extreme end of the return stroke, i. e., at the end of a machine operation. the register frame is again moved upward so that r ister pinions disengage from the actuator racks and re-engage the tens transfer racks and rack 02 re-engagu Pinion II with the slide 05 in inactive position.

At the end of the machine operation the paper carriage is automatically tabulated to the next columnar position, during which movement dog It engages pawl 88 to release the register frame for tabulating'movement to position a different group of register pinions into active relation with the racks. During this movement or indexing of the register frame, rack 82 is in engagement with pinion 90 and repositions slide II to release the latches l2 a sociated with the actuator racks corresponding to the new indexed register pinions. It follows, therefore, that during each operation of the machine after the actuator racks have been indexed, the slide 85 is restored to inactive position where it remains until the tabulation of the paper carriage causes the register assess:

frameto move to the left to its new position, whichmovementreindexesslidelltoreieasethe proper number of actuator racks in accordance withthenewindexedregister. Allregisterpinionsnotinalignmentwiththeactuatorracks II and transfer segments II are held against movement by a blade I. (Fig. 2) which is carried by theregisterframeandhasacutoutportionfl overlying the actuator racks.

After theregisterframehasan-ivedinitslast register position, it is restored by pawl 60 as previouslydescribed. Astheregisterframeisrestored to the right, pinion II is disengaged from rack I! by being raised upwardly, which movement is permitted because of the permissible vertical movement of shaft II. For this P pose a slide ill (Fig. 3) is provided and is formed with a laterally extending lug it! which engages the lower end of shaft CI. The lower end of slide III is connected to one arm of a bell crank I pivoted at I. The other arm of hell crank I is connected to a second arm of latch '4. Accordingly, when latch 84 is rotated to release slide II to permit restoring of the register frame, bell crank III! is also moved to raise shaft II and pinion It disengaging the latter from rack l Control 0/ racks alter register restoration When the register frame arrives in its normal position, it is necessary to release the correct number of actuator racks for the next machine operation. Since rack 92 controls slide ll only in tabulating movements of the register frame, it is necessary to provide other means for positioning slide it after a complete restoration of the register frame. For this purpose stop bar II is provided with an additional lug I (Fig. 2), which engages a pass-by pawl I carried by one end of a sliding link I01, the other end of which has a pin and slot connection ill with lever 81 and is normally urged to the left. as viewed in Fig. 2, by a tension spring I. Link Ill is of proper length so that when lug Ill engages pawl III. as the register frame reaches its restored position, link I" will rock lever '1 about its pivot II and move slide it to the proper position to release the actuator racks associated with register R1, although pinion II is held in raised position at this time by link llil and is not restored until the following machine stroke, when link III is restored with latch 04.

When the machine is given its first stroke of operation after the register frame has been restored to its right position with resistor R1 in active relation to the actuator racks and the register frame is moved downward, lug I" is moved downward out of engagement with pawl I", permitting link IN to move to the left, which permits restoration of lever l1 and slide II to normal inactive position. During this portion of the machine operation, link III is restored and pinion !0 reengages rack 92 so that as the carriage is tabulated to the next columnar position at the end of the machine operation, the register frame again assumes control of slide I! through rack 82 to release the proper number of actuator racks corresponding to the number of pinions in the next register R: moved into actuation with the actuator racks. From this it follows that sliding link I" positions slide 85 and selects the actuator racks to be released for the first operation after the complete restoration of the register frame, and that the selection is thereafter made from the register frame through rack 92 for all 7 succeeding machine operations while the register frame is being tabulated to the left.

Total taking In total taking the register pinions are moved immediately into engagement with the actuator racks instead of at the end of the forward stroke of the machine. Lowering of the register frame ordinarily causes a release of the slide, 85 permitting it to return to inactive position. To prevent this early release before the proper number of actuator racks are released in accordance with the register pinions being totalized, a means is.

provided which, when the total key is depressed, locks slide 85 in position until after the correct number of actuator racks have been released for the total taking operation. For this purpose a crank I I5 is disposed beneath the total key so as to be rocked thereby, which-crank upon being depressed pulls a rod H6 forward. The rear end of rod H5 is connected to a crank II! which is also connected to a link I I3 attached to a crank H9. The latter crank controls engagement of the registers with the racks during total taking operations by lowering link I5 by engaging a stud H9 therein, as disclosed in the heretofore mentioned Hopkins patents. Crank II! is also connected by a link I to one arm of a crank I2I the other arm of which is connected to a vertical slide I22. The upper end of slide I22 has a slotted guiding connection with a stationary stud I23 and has pivoted thereto a crank I24 urged counterclockwise by spring I25 until the upper end of arm I26 thereof engages in a notch in a link I21 mounted for vertical sliding movement upon stud I23 and another stud I28. Link I 21 is formed with a projection I29 which, when the link is in raised position, engages in notches I30 (Fig. 3) formed on the under edge of slide 85. It follows from the foregoing that depression of total key T into the connections just described raises link I21 so that its lug I29 engages in a notch I30 and retains slide 85 in its indexed position, thereby preventing movement of the slide when the register pinions are moved into engagement with the actuator racks for totaling operation. Accordingly, the control slide 85 is locked in any position to which it has been moved under control of the register frame and permits the correct number of actuator racks to be released, depending upon the number of pinions in the active register.

During the early part of the totaling operation, a stud I3I carried by a lever I32, for moving the racks, is moved forward and engages a forwardly projecting arm of crank I24 and releases it from link I21 allowing link I21 to be moved downward by its spring I21 and release slide 85. This permits slide 85 to be restored to inactive position. Restoration of slide 85 at this time does not interfere with the machine operation because the correct number of actuator racks has already been released for the total taking operation.

It is not believed necessary, in view of the foregoing description, to repeat the manner and mode of operation of the machine inasmuch as it has been given in describing the various sections of the machine.

It follows from the foregoing description that by controlling the racks through the register frame, which is in turn controlled by the paper carriage and by controlling the racks in totaling operations through the medium of the total key, variable groups of racks may be released for operation in accordance with the number of pinions in the selected register, which register is also selected by means of the paper carriage in the lilustrated machine. In this manner, a given total number of register pinions may be divided into more groups or sections, each of which comprises a complete register, than if each group had to contain the same number of register pinions as that group of pinions in which the largest totals are to be accumulated. The foregoing construction permits the totals of each register to be printed upon the same line without overlapping of the printed totals as long as the columnar widths of the paper are chosen to accommodate the maximum number of orders in the particular register used in that column.

It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that .the principles of this invention may be employed in calculating machines of other types than the specific ten key type machine illustrated, and that various changes may be made in the details of the construction shown without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention as set forth in the claims appended hereto.

I claim:

1. In a calculating machine, a plurality of manipulative amount determining keys, differentially movable actuator racks, means for controlling said racks from said keys, a movable register support, a plurality of register pinions therein divisible into groups of variable numbers of pinions, means for moving said register support in one direction, means for restoring said register support in the other direction, means for moving said racks and register pinions relative to each other to render any one of a selected group of register pinions active with respect to said racks for both amount entering and total taking operations, latches for restricting movement of said racks, an adjustable slide for releasing said latches in groups varying in number of racks, means automatically operable under control of said support when moving in one direction for controlling movement of said slide, and additional means for controlling movement of said slide upon restoration of said register support.

2. In a calculating machine, a plurality of manipulative amount determining keys, differentially movable actuator racks, means for controlling said racks from said keys, a movable register support, a plurality of register pinions therein divisible into groups of variable numbers of pinions, means for moving said register support in one direction, means for restoring said register support in the other direction, means for moving said racks and register pinions relative to each other to render any one of a selected group of register pinions active with respect to said racks for both amount entering and total taking operations, latches for restricting movement of said racks, an adjustable slide for releasing said latches in groups varying in number of racks, means automatically operable under control of said support when moving in one direction for controlling movement of said slide, and additional means controlled by said register support for positioning said slide upon restoration of said register support.

8. In a calculating machine, a plurality of manipulative amount determining keys, differentially movable actuator racks, means for controlling said racks from said keys, a movable register support, a plurality of register pinions therein divisible into groups of variable numbers of pinions, means for moving said racks and register pinions relative to each other selectively to render any one 01' said groups oi. register pinions active with respect to said racks for amount entering and total taking operations, a slide movable from normal position to control said racks in groups varying in number r racks in accordance with the position of said s de, means for returning said slide to normal position at each machine operation, and means operable in accordance with 10 the position of said register support for controlling movement of said slide at each machine operation to control predetermined racks in accordance with the number 01' pinions in the selected group oi register pinions in active position during both amount entering and total taking operations.

4. In a calculating machine, a plurality of manipulative amount determining keys, differentlally movable racks, means for controlling said racks from said keys, a traveling paper carriage, a registering mechanism having a plurality of pinions divisible into groups having variable numbers oi pinions and mounted in a movable support, means controlled by said carriage for moving said support and register pinions relatively to the racks selectively to render any one 0! said groups of register pinions active relatively to said racks for both amount entering and total taking operations, a movable member, means operable thereby for controlling the movement of variable groups of racks in both amount entering and total taking operations, and means moved by said register support for eflecting movement of said member.

5. In a calculating machine, a plurality of manipulative amount determining keys, diL ierentially movable actuator racks, means for controlling saidactuator racks from said keys, a registering mechanism having a plurality of pinions divisible into groups of variable numbers of pinions, means for moving said racks and register pinions relative to each other selectively to render any one of said groups of register pinions active relatively to said racks for amount entering and total taking operations, a total taking control key, an adjustable member, means associated with said member for controlling the movement of variable groups of racks, means for moving said member in accordance with the selected active group of register pinions, and means controlled by said total taking key for locking said member in adjusted position for a total taking operation.

6. In a calculating machine, a plurality of manipulative amount determining keys, ditierentially movable actuator racks, means for controlling said racks from said keys, a registering mechanism having a plurality of pinions divisible into groups or variable numbers of pinions, means for moving said racks and register pinions relative to each other selectively to render any one 01' said groups 01' register pinions active relative- 1y to said racks for both amount entering and total taking operations, latches for restricting movement 01 said racks in both amotmt entering and total taking operations, a total taking control key, an adjustable slide having means thereon for releasing said latches to control movement oi variable groups of racks in both amount entering and total taking operations, and means controlled by said total taking key for locking said slide in position for a total taking operation.

ROBERT L. MULLER. 

